A major fire broke out at a recycling tip in Chichester.
Six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform attended Household Waste Recycling centre in Stane Street, Westhampnett, at about 8.25pm last night.
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service tweeted last night: "Please avoid the area and if you live nearby, remember to keep your doors and windows closed."
Crews remained on the scene overnight and in to today. The recycling centre will be closed for a few days as the fire is likely to continue to burn.
Viridor, which operates the recycling centre, said in a statement: "Viridor suspects that a likely cause is lithium ion batteries. These batteries are the main cause of waste site fires.
"They are commonly found in a variety of products, including mobile phones, toys, cameras, eCigarettes and laptop computers.
Viridor and the County Council thank the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services for its ongoing assistance and ask the public to dispose of batteries responsibly at a household waste recycling centre and, as summer approaches, to ensure barbecue ashes have been to left to cool for at least 48 hours or thoroughly wet these ashes before placing out for collection."
The recycling centre wrote on its website: "Due to a fire, this site is closed until further notice. We apologise for an inconvenience caused."
The fire service tweeted this morning: "Crews are still on the scene of the fire at Stane Street, Chichester. It is under control but is likely to burn for a number of days.
"The site is closed to the public for the foreseeable future. We will continue to keep you updated."
A spokesman for the fire service said: "Following consultation with the Environment Agency it was decided to allow the fire to burn in a controlled way and not use water, in order to prevent pollution to local water courses.
"This is being kept under close review.
"The Westhampnett Household Waste and Recycling site is closed for the next few days at least and we ask residents in the Chichester area to avoid using any site if possible in the meantime.
"If necessary, the nearest alternative sites are Bognor Regis, which will be open seven days a week for the time being, Worthing, Billingshurst and Littlehampton.
"Please note Bognor and Littlehampton are not able to accept trailers."
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